July 23, 2018: 1 Nephi 3:7

Hello all!

I'm not feeling that great today so I apologize for not sending personal responses. I promise to reply next week! We have seen a lot of great things happen this week. Sister Runs Through and I have been getting along very well, we have been setting goals and making plans and all in all being very focused and productive missionaries. 

Rajesh is one of the people we are teaching. He wants to be baptized and has been reading the Book of Mormon. He sent us a text telling us how he connected to a specific verse and how it really helped him through a situation he was in. The scripture was 1 Nephi 3:7. 

"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

This is a classic scripture and I am so happy that he found it and connected to it on his own! It is also a great reminder for all of us. We all have things the Lord has commanded us to do. But he has not left us alone to do it. He promises to help us, and its not just a 'well I'll try to help' but a promise that He will provide a way to make that thing happen. 

I am grateful for this experience I have had on my mission so far, I have learned so much and grown more than I could have ever dreamed. I know I also have a long way to go before I will be the person God intends me to be, but all we can do is try and do our best day by day. 

I love you all, 

Sister Peterson 

Photos: 

bathroom selfies

cookies made in cupcake tins without a recipe (skillz!) 

Chapman Hill / Sisters!! 

Sisters night out with a kind member at Annette's 

July 16, 2018 🌞🌞🔥🔥🔥My week.

Hello Everyone! 

It is the beginning of a new transfer and a fresh start! It's amazing how inspired President is with the changes that have been made. Of course I miss Sister Johnson dearly! She will always be my sister, but I am grateful for this chance I have to work now with Sister Runs Through!

No family it is not a spelling error, haha! She is of Native American decent. Her full name is super cool! It's.... Tashiyapoba Onowan Runs Through (Oha Iyage). She is from St. George UT and comes from a family of five boys and two girls. She is very musical and can play 30 something instruments at various levels. Her main passion however is ceramics, specifically pottery. She is a Hufflepuff. 

We have been out the same amount of time, but I didn't know her at the MTC. She is a great missionary! Very upbeat and obedient, and just a joy to work with! We have clicked very smoothly in this transition, and have seen a lot of miracles! 

It has been up in the high 90's all week and we have been out walking the streets for at least a solid 3 hours every day. In this time sweating in the sun we have talked to so many amazing people! We have found so many prepared people and with these experiences recommited never to pass someone by without talking to them.

There was one man who was working hard digging up his yard but as we approached he turned off his machine and gave us his attention. He was hesitant at first but as we testified to him about, oddly enough, the importance of righteous parenting, he softened and opened up to us about how he wanted to mend his relationship with his family. We taught him about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how he could receive forgiveness and the strength to face his trials. 

This week Sister Runs Through and I both felt very humbled. It was an interesting humbling though because nothing negative had to happen to humble us. It was a humble that came with all the success we had been having and the constant spirit we have felt this week. 

I am so grateful for this opportunity to be a missionary, to be in the work of the Lord. There is no greater calling! 

I hope you all have a wonderful week. Love you bunches, 

Sister Peterson 

July 9, 2018 In God's Timing

Hello everyone! 

I'll just cut right to the chase with transfer news... I am staying in Chapman Hill Ward and Sister Johnson is headed to Pringle Ward in South Salem. I am very sad this companionship is coming to an end. Sister Johnson has truly become a sister to me in these short 12 weeks. I know that these changes are part of God's plan though and I know that Sister Johnson is needed elsewhere. AND I can't wait to meet Sister Runs Through and start a new adventure! 

This week was evidence of God's perfect timing. We have been working with a lady named Jolie since before I got here. She has been on date to be baptized a couple times in the past but one thing or another lead to having to push it back and then just be off date all together. She is very strong in her knowledge and testimony of the gospel, it is simply her health that has held her back from baptism. 

Well last Saturday night a crazy idea was planted in our minds by our former Ward Mission Leader. Jolie’s sister has been taking the missionary lessons in a different Ward and actually had a baptism planned for Saturday the 7th. The crazy idea was, if Jolie’s health permits why not let her be baptized with her sister? 

We let this idea sit in the back of our minds until Sunday after church. Miraculously Jolie made it to church all three hours, this was a major break through, and afterwards she was still feeling great! Because of this development we started to seriously consider it, and after getting permission from our leaders we proceeded to go forward with full force on preparing for Jolie to be baptized!! 

After a week of craziness it all came together into an amazing day! Jolie and her sister Monica were able to be baptized together and start this new life and new journey together. God knows best. His timing is perfect and I know those two sisters will remember that day for the rest of their lives and find strength in each other as they continue on the path. 

I love Jolie, she is such an amazing example of a true disciple of Jesus Christ. I have seen her grow and change in my short time here and I am so proud of her! I will also forever remember her baptism and the peace that was so palpable as she entered into the waters of baptism and made her first covenant with her Heavenly Father. 

"And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith" -Moroni 6:4

Just as powerful as her baptism was her confirmation the next day in Sacrament meeting when she was given the gift of the Holy Ghost to be her constant companion. This is one of the greatest gifts we have been given by our Heavenly Father in this life. I am so grateful that I have been so blessed as to have been born into the true church of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to share this glad news with God's children! 

Never forget how blessed you are! Use the gifts you have been given! Spread goodness! I love you, 

Sister Peterson

ps. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! (Pic two was our view of the fireworks) 

July 2, 2018 The Iron Rod = the Book of Mormon = My Life Line!

Hello all! 

Let's see, what happened this week.... I honestly can't remember! It's official I have lost my mind! 

Though I do know one thing for sure and that is that a mission is worth it! Worth the tax it takes on your body and mind because it will all be made up for in your spirit! I am only half way and I can say with certainty that the decision to go on a mission has been the best decision I have made in my life so far. I honestly don't know where I would be if I hadn't decided to trust the Lord and go on this once in a life time adventure. 

No matter what your path in this adventure of life the Book of Mormon is a perfect guide. I am currently in the war chapters of the book of Alma and there are a lot of parallels to family life and parenting, if you are a parent or any other part of a family unit that just needs a little direction I recommend studying the later half of Alma. More applicable to my current situation though is the earlier half of Alma which is all focused around the why, what and how of missionary work.

These verses in Alma chapter 17 have given me lots of strength and guidance throughout my mission. This is Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah as they are at the start of their mission. 

"Now these are the circumstances which attended them in their journeyings, for they had many afflictions; they did suffer much, both in body and in mind, such as hunger, thirst and fatigue, and also much labor in the spirit....

And it came to pass that they journeyed many days in the wilderness, and they fasted much and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide with them, that they might be an instrument in the hands of God to bring, if it were possible, their brethren, the Lamanites, to the knowledge of the truth, to the knowledge of the baseness of the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct.

   And it came to pass that the Lord did visit them with his Spirit, and said unto them: Be comforted. And they were comforted.

   And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.

   And it came to pass that the hearts of the sons of Mosiah, and also those who were with them, took courage to go forth unto the Lamanites to declare unto them the word of God.

   And it came to pass when they had arrived in the borders of the land of the Lamanites, that they separated themselves and departed one from another, trusting in the Lord that they should meet again at the close of their harvest; for they supposed that great was the work which they had undertaken."

I love the guidance given to them from the Lord in these verses as they fasted and prayed....

1) be comforted, or fear not, or be calm. 

2) go amongst thy brethren. Just put yourself out there. Go walk n talk!

3) establish my word. USE THE BOOK OF MORMON!!

4) be patient in long-suffering and afflictions. Bad things will happen, good things will take time.

5) be a good example to them. Serve. Love. Show them what a disciple of Christ does. 

6) I will make you an instrument in my hands. Be humble. Seek to do my will.

7) take courage!!

8) trust in the Lord, don't let yourself be distracted by the things you are leaving behind. 

9) deticate yourself to the work of the Lord and find joy in the journey!!

I know this guidance can apply to you as well, no matter what circumstances you may be in the Lord's promise is the same. He will send you strength as you turn to him in prayer. 

I'm sorry I didn't have much of a weekly update today. All is well we are in the last week of this transfer, so I will let you know transfer news next week! 

Pictures: 

- The wild Oregon blackberry bushes are blooming, still very sour but getting there! 

-my name tag and a peek at my desk. 

-P-day Selfie

June 25, 2018: 9 Months!!

Hello Everyone! 

This week has been good! The email will be a bit shorter because a kind member is letting me use her sewing machine today to alter some clothing I bought at Good Will. 

This week on exchanges we invited one of our newer investigators, Edward, to be baptized and he said yes! He is really so prepared! He will be baptized on August 11th!... and now we are handing him off to the YSA (young single adults) Ward... Still very happy and excited for him! but I guess I have that little green jealously monster inside of me because I really just want to continue to teach him and see him progress. Hey this experience is teaching me that it really is not about you when it comes to the work of the Lord. 

Saturday night we had eight people who had committed to come to church the next day, but as Sunday morning progressed the number slowly dwindled down to one. Sundays are another example of how it really is all in God's timing and in His hands. And even though we know each person who could have come would have benefited the Lord knows who is ready and it is our job to do all we can to help them on the path. 

Rajesh was the only one to show up for church. He is a very nice man from India. We met him very briefly last Saturday and invited him to come to church. He seemed genuinely excited about it and we had continued over texting to make sure he was coming. He walked to church and loved it! he was only able to stay for Sacrament meeting, but he said next week he would bring his wife and son! We are so happy we met him and excited to continue teaching him! 

Sister Johnson and I hit 9 months this week and we had some balloons floating around our apartment so yes we took some maternity pictures. 😁😂

I love you all! Have a great week! BYE! 

-Sister Peterson

Maternity pics and Some familiar faces from Zone conference :) 

June 18, 2018 Miracles galore!!

Hello all! 

This has been a really good week! We have met so many wonderful people who are so prepared to hear the message of the restored  gospel! I will just list a couple of the different experiences with a couple of the people. 

Monday night we went out walking and we saw someone painting a house. We offered help and that opened up a whole discussion. He was so grateful for the offer, though he couldn't let us do it, but we talked about the Book of Mormon and gave him a copy. The next night he texted us and told us how much he loved the chapter we had given him to read (3 Nephi 11) he explained all sorts of reasons he loved it, including Jesus giving the people the authority to baptize. He said that was something he needed in his life. 

So I am out of time so I am going to copy and paste part of my wonderful companion’s, Sister Johnson's, email!!

Sister Peterson and I had made a goal a few weeks ago to talk to everyone we see. To not let anyone go. So this past week, we made our very best effort and talked to anyone and everyone we saw on the streets. And a lot of them weren't interested but some were and we were able to find four new investigators! As missionaries, we are told to refer quickly back to the Restoration quickly because that is our unique message to the world. That the gospel of Jesus Christ, the church that Jesus Christ has established when He was on the earth, has been restored once again in its fulness to the earth today. That is what we are out here sharing and it has power. 

On Tuesday, we had an amazing first lesson with one of our new investigators, Edward. He is so prepared and we are so excited for him! He showed up to the lesson, Book of Mormon in hand, and he was super excited to see us. He expressed to us that he had been looking forward to our meeting. Awesome! He recognized that the Holy Ghost had been leading him to where he was and to meeting with us and learning more about the gospel. He had a lot of great questions and was truly searching and seeking for truth and knowledge. He truly has a sincere desire to learn more about and follow Jesus Christ. We taught the Restoration and he understood very quickly and readily, the need for a restoration. As we recited the First Vision to him, the spirit was so strong and almost palpable. Thankfully, no interruptions came. After, he had a lot of questions about baptism. Mostly the what and why of baptism. We showed him the Bible video of Christ's baptism and he really enjoyed it and thought it enlightening. He understood that baptism was an important commitment and when we asked him if he would be baptized, he said he would have to think about it a little more but not immediately a no. He knows how important baptism is. He admitted to us at the end of our lesson that in the short time thy we had been together, he already felt like a different person; that he was different than he was "10 minutes earlier". Awesome! He very willingly said the closing prayer and eagerly asked what he could read before our next lesson. He's very excited to meet again and we are super excited to continue to teach him. 

We almost met a guy named Daren on Thursday who is also super prepared. Daren has had Mormon roommates in the past. He has faith in Jesus Christ. He felt it was a sign that we stopped to talk to him that he should listen to us. We told him God sent us to him tonight. He was very open to learning more. We'd testified to him of the truthfulness of our message and that it was a message that would bless his life. As we testified of the Book of Mormon, we felt the spirit confirming to him of the truth of what we said. He is excited to meet with us as well! 

Saturday we got a glimpse into how our Heavenly Father feels about all of us. We really struggled with one investigator in particular. Specifically in helping them connect that the promise we make aren't from us but from God. That we aren't just two girls talking about God but that we have been called by a prophet of God to come and preach His gospel to the world and how that calling has given us the power to make promises in His name. But of course, people have that wonderful gift of agency that allows them to choose right or wrong. And sometimes, they don't choose right. And it was hard to see someone who we love so dearly not choose right. And in that moment, we felt a little piece of how our Heavenly Father feels when we don't choose right. It was hard and so so sad. A little heartbreaking. So if that is how we felt, I can't even imagine how our Heavenly Father feels when we don't choose Him or trust Him. Makes me appreciate my Heavenly Father and the love He feels for me even more. How patient He must be ♥ 

Joanne came to church yesterday! And she loved it! It was 10:30 and church started in 30 minutes but we felt super prompted that we needed to go and invite her anyways. So we went and knocked on her door, asking her to come to church with us. We told her we could get a ride for her and everything; all she needed to do was say yes. And so she came! And it was great! A little miracle. She loved church to much that she said she's going to bring her kids next week! Yay! She is also praying about a date to be baptized! 

Ending thoughts: I add my testimony to Sister Johnson’s, I am so grateful for this restored gospel! I am so grateful to be able to be a part of this great work in bringing people closer to their Heavenly Father! 

I love you all!! 

Bye!! 

-Sister Peterson :)